Final report in Goblin Valley toppling on way to county attorney's office

By Pat Reavy , Deseret News

Published: Thursday, Dec. 5 2013 4:25 p.m. MST

Overview of Goblin Valley State park. (Utah State Parks)

CASTLE DALE — The case of two former Utah Boy Scout leaders involved in pushing over a rock formation in Goblin Valley State Park is on its way to the county attorney's office.

Utah State Parks issued a brief statement Thursday afternoon, stating that its investigators submitted their final report on the Goblin Valley rock-toppling incident to the Emery County Attorney's Office.

"An electronic version has been filed. A hard copy and all the supporting documents will get to them next week," said Eugene Swalberg, spokesman for Utah State Parks.

Swalberg said he did not know if investigators recommended any particular charges to the county attorney. He also did not know how long it would be before the county attorney makes a decision on what, if any, charges to file.

Two men have come under scrutiny by the public and possibly by prosecutors after a video made the rounds online showing them pushing over an iconic rock formation in Goblin Valley State Park. (Dave Hall)

Emery County Attorney David Blackwell earlier admitted he was struggling over what appropriate charges to file.

Highland residents Dave Hall and Glenn Taylor received worldwide attention — nearly all of it negative — and sparked outrage after posting a video of themselves pushing over a 170 million-year-old rock formation known as a goblin or hoodoo. The men and Taylor's son are seen laughing and high-fiving each other after pushing over the formation.

The men claimed they didn't want the boulder to fall on anybody. The Boy Scouts of America condemned the action as disappointing and reprehensible, and removed them from their positions.

The Boy Scout leaders involved in pushing over an ancient rock formation in Goblin Valley State Park were removed from their positions Monday. (Dave Hall)

One state lawmaker recently announced he is drafting a measure to make stronger penalties against anyone who commits similar acts.